“Dune: Part Two” Previews Strong with $10 Million-Plus
Welcome back to the cinema, everyone. The highly anticipated sequel, “Dune: Part Two,” is off to a strong start with over $10 million in previews, according to industry estimates. This figure includes $2 million from the Imax fan event screening that took place on February 25. While these numbers are not officially confirmed by Warner Bros, they provide a promising indication of the film’s potential success.
In fact, these preview numbers are the highest we’ve seen since the release of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 20. “Barbie” made an impressive $22.3 million in previews, while “Oppenheimer” brought in $10.5 million. Additionally, “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” despite being available on Universal’s Peacock streaming service, managed to generate $10.3 million in previews on October 26.
Looking at past releases, “Freddy’s” opened to $80 million, and “Oppenheimer” started at $82.4 million. These figures give us an idea of the potential box office performance for “Dune: Part Two.” Many industry insiders are expecting the Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel to fall within this range.
Comparing the previews of “Dune: Part Two” to its predecessor, “Dune” from 2021, it’s evident that the sequel is already surpassing expectations. The first film made $5.1 million in previews, starting at 6 p.m. Additionally, “Dune: Part Two” is ahead of the previews for “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which brought in $8.9 million and went on to earn a total of $73.8 million over its three-day opening weekend.
However, it’s important to note that projecting the final box office numbers for “Dune: Part Two” is slightly challenging at this point. The film’s presales are primarily driven by premium-format tickets, and standard advance ticket sales are only average, according to sources. While advance ticket sales of $18 million typically indicate an opening weekend of over $100 million, industry professionals are cautious about relying solely on these numbers.
Nevertheless, “Dune: Part Two” seems to have all the ingredients for success. The film boasts an impressive 95% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating widespread critical acclaim. Furthermore, its social media presence is thriving, with a combined social media universe of 575.5 million across platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. This figure far surpasses the 468.9 million social media universe of the first “Dune” film, which was available simultaneously on HBO Max.
According to reports from RelishMix, the decision to reschedule the release of “Dune: Part Two” to the first weekend in November was influenced by the immense social media buzz surrounding the cast. Zendaya leads the pack with 227.8 million followers, followed by Dave Bautista with 180.1 million, Timothée Chalamet with 21.1 million, Florence Pugh with 9.5 million, Austin Butler with 5.2 million, and Josh Brolin with 3.3 million. The entire cast has been actively engaging with fans across all social platforms, resulting in a “full activation” rating of 10 out of 10.
The social media chatter surrounding “Dune: Part Two” is overwhelmingly positive. Fans are praising every aspect of the film, from the cinematography to the soundtrack. Many consider it a masterclass in filmmaking and draw comparisons to epic trilogies like “The Lord of the Rings.” The score, composed by Hans Zimmer, has particularly captivated audiences, with fans expressing their excitement and describing it as goosebump-inducing. The film is being hailed as more than just a blockbuster, but rather a “complex geopolitical thriller” that fans are eager to experience for over three hours.
As we await further updates, it’s clear that “Dune: Part Two” has generated significant anticipation and excitement among moviegoers. With its strong previews and positive reception on social media, the film is poised to make a substantial impact at the box office. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for an epic cinematic experience like no other.